Strong Finish Earns Antwerp First Win

Bryan Hopkins led the way for the Antwerp Giants with 24 points and 6 boards

The Antwerp Giants found their rhythm in the second half to record their opening win in Group H of the EuroChallenge, topping Armia 80-71 on the road in Georgia.

Antwerp, who lost their opener 81-72 at home to Telekom Baskets last week, were down by four at the break and trailed again late in the third quarter before a solid fourth carried them over the line.

Bryan Hopkins had eight of his 24 points in the final four minutes of the game to make sure of the win for the Belgians.

Armia, who have now gone to 0-2, led 52-50 on Lasha Parghalava's three-pointer with 90 seconds left in the third quarter, but Lamarcus Reed replied in kind to put Antwerp back in front before Jason Love split his free throws before the end of the period.

Armia kept in touch for most of the fourth quarter, and Marcus Faison's jump-shot made it a three-point game once again at 62-59 with 3:53 to go.

But then Ralph Biggs nailed a three for Antwerp and Roel Moors drove in for the lay-up after an Armia turnover as the gap suddenly bulged to eight.

A three-point play from Curtis Millage and two free throws from Wilson had Armia in touch once again going into the final 90 seconds but Hopkins and Biggs then came up with big free throws down the stretch as Armia's shooting touch deserted them when it mattered.

Biggs finished with 14 points and Moors had 13 for Antwerp.

Millage poured in 24 points for Armia, with Wilson added 20 and 13 rebounds. Faison also scored in double figures with 11 points.